Amanda drives us to Trey’s house, it’s only a ten-minute ride. I already feel out of place with the way she has me all dolled and made up. It’s been so long since I got fixed up and I feel like a circus clown. She even put eyeliner on me. I cannot be this year’s laughing stock of the company again. Not that anyone laughed last year, but they felt sorry for me after they learned what had gone down that night. It was horrible and very embarrassing to say the least.

As we get out of the car, I freeze, looking around the place. It’s incredible. I guess the rumors going around the office about his ex sticking it to him aren’t true. It looks like he still owns this amazing home along with a BMW and Jeep in the drive.

We enter through the double paned, stained glass French door behind someone who holds the door open for us. He turns and I recognize him. It’s my friend and our copy guy from work. He addresses me like he doesn’t even recognize me.

“Hi there, allow me.” He holds the door open.

“Oh my, Dale. You look incredible all swankified and shit, with your slacks and dress shirt.” I laugh. “Very handsome.”

“I know that I know you, but give me a minute. Is that you, Ross? Holy hell, I almost didn’t recognize you. You are, shit, I mean you look incredible, completely different. You clean-up nicely.” He pats me on the shoulder.

“Quit messing with me, you know me, we’ve only been friends forever, punk.” I reach out and give him a little punch in the arm.

“I know, but wow, just fucking wow.” A little grin forms on his face.

Whatever the hell just happened, I’ll never be sure of, but I kind of like the smile that traces his lips when he talks to me. It’s pretty cool.

“Thank you, Dale. See you in a little bit?”

“Definitely!” He smiles and turns to close the door.

Amanda and I walk into the main foyer of Trey’s house. In a basket off to the right side under the stairwell, there’s an arrangement of masks for the costume part of this party. I completely forgot about this, ugh. I take a black and silver sequin mask that circles my eyes and traces down to the end of my nose. Hopefully it keeps me hidden for the evening.

“Who has a costume party at Christmas? This is silly, Amanda.” I stretch the ribbon around the back of my head to tie it.

“Can you just relax and play along? Have a little fun.” She looks at me, daring me to say something. I know that look of hers well. “I think it’s very clever.”

“I’ll try.” I roll my eyes and we enter the living room.

Glancing around the room, I spot Trey immediately. He turns to look at us and smiles a crooked little grin from the side of his mouth that radiates across his cheeks and nods. He’s stunning. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile before, he’s so serious at work, usually always on the phone, or with his head stuck in a folder or locked in his office behind closed doors.

Everyone looks towards us for a minute as we’re the newcomers. It’s a little hard to make out who is who with the party masks on and it makes me a little uncomfortable. I turn back in Trey’s direction. His eyes are still on me, my heart starts racing. The man is one hundred percent fuck-a-licious, and even though I would never say anything like that out loud, it doesn’t mean I’d never think it. He cocks his head to the side watching me.

Jordan used to dress all straight laced and proper in a suit every day and until tonight, I thought Trey was the same way. He definitely isn’t. Trey’s an amped up hottie who’s been hiding underneath the bulk of material every day at the office. Seeing him dress this way, more casual, makes me want to do very bad things to the man. His shoulders bulge out of his sleeves threatening to shred the sexy polo shirt that clings so tight to him. His jet black hair cocoons him in an essence of sexiness, as it dangles around his shoulder. The man is everything you’re not supposed to want, but find yourself not being able to stay away from. He’s got the total bad boy thing going on. I should probably run and most likely would, if I thought I wouldn’t break my ankle or slide in these damn dress shoes and bust my ass.

If my body temp rises anymore, it’s going to send me into seizures. Growl!

Trey stalks across the room, like a panther seeking a mate. He flashes me that look, the one that crawls through your pores and sends flames into every nerve ending you have. Me, out of everyone here, he gave me that look! My body breaks out in a shiver. As he approaches, I’m practically biting a hole through my lip at the way a pair of legs can carry a man. There is no doubt, he’s fucking gorgeous. My mind zooms off to left field, as every kink-a-fied thought I’ve ever had ricochets through my mind, setting off sensors inside me. The chemistry is electric.

“I’m Trey, the new owner of Hamilton and Hamilton.”

Um, hello? Does he not recognize me dressed a little different and with the mask on? This is like a dream come true, I can be anyone I want to be right now.

“Pleasure to meet you.” I hold my hand out to him and shake it, as I scan the room trying to keep from fainting on my feet.

“You are?”

“You don’t recognize me?” I ask, needing to know if he’s serious or not.

His tongue curls over his top teeth, pressing his upper lip out just a tad. Mmmm…sexy. He takes a little step back, then looks me up and down. I think I’m going to shrivel up and melt to the floor like a hot Hershey’s bar.

“There’s something familiar about you, but it’s hard to tell what it is, especially since I haven’t met everyone yet. This mask idea may have been a bad one.” He grins at me, his eyebrow raising, and he lets out a belly laugh.

“Is there?” I smile back trying to decide which way to go. This conversation has the potential to sprout off in any direction.

“Yes, something about your eyes. I can’t pinpoint it,” he answers. “Can you give me a little hint?”

“Sure.” I tilt my head to the side and let out a giggle. “I might work for you.” The funny approach might work, we’ll see.

“Really now?” He laughs again. When he tenses, his shirt hugs his chest and ab muscles. “Well, it is an office party, I kind of assumed that already.”

“Never assume, I might be married to one of your employees.” Cocky could work too.

“But you’re not wearing a ring.”

Touché! The need to play this little game of cat and mouse with him is strong. I wouldn’t dare doing this if he actually knew who I was, but he doesn’t, so why not?

“Okay, so you got me.” I laugh and flutter my eyes. The innocent, you busted me game?

“Your voice is also familiar, but I’ve not been with the company long enough to learn voices or personalities. I’m lucky to remember names, and that’s a guess most times to be honest.” He takes a step back from me. “Seriously, I don’t recognize you and I’m very sorry. I’m trying to run through faces in my mind to pinpoint you, it’s pretty obvious that I’m not having much luck, huh?” He smacks his palm against his forehead and laughs.

I like that he doesn’t recognize me. My eyeliner offers a slight slant to my eyes, and the lip liner and stick give me a bit of a fuller look. I thought it might look a bit silly, but Trey keeps staring at me, and not in a bad kind of way. I’m totally mysterious to him and love it.

“Good, I’m glad you don’t recognize me. You might resist if you knew.”

“Oh I doubt that. Your eyes speak a symphony of emotions, you’re daring me on the cool, yet I sense you might be a little bit out of your comfort zone and element. God, you have irresistible lips.” He licks his. “I’m sorry, that was out of line.”

I can’t help but grin and blush at the same time. “No it’s fine, really.”

“Yeah? I’ve always liked a good mystery.” He grins and steps up to me. “Your outfit, mmm…is amazing.” He puts his hand on my waist.

My eyes close for a minute and tremors quake through my body. His touch is like being hooked to jumper cables, my body tenses, electrifies, and chills shoot down my spine all simultaneously. As inappropriate as it is to have your boss touch you, its goddamned irresistible. Quite frankly, it’s all I can do to keep from guiding his hand to my zipper and begging him rip my pants off of me.

“You are very sensual the way you carry yourself, and you like this chase we’re playing,” he says in a demanding way.

So we are playing chase, interesting. He completely pegs me on enjoying this.

“I do like it and you seem to be enjoying it as well. Does not knowing who I am rattle your cage?” I flirt back.

“Absolutely, but I love it, but it makes me want to say and do things completely out of character.” His hand tightens at my waist.

“Does it now?” I lick the corner of my top lip and place my hand on his.

“Can I be very blunt?” he asks.” I mean really blunt?”

“Definitely.” I can’t believe I’m going all flirty and dirty with him.

He leans into my ear and whispers. “You have lips that I could suck on until next Christmas.”

“Mmmm…” I purr. I’m hooked, just yank me back and reel me in like a fish on a line.

“Your body movements are so pristine, you’re a very sexual person and like being desired, don’t you? You demand a certain amount of respect and sensuality, yet you’re tense. This isn’t something you normally do.” He gives my side a gentle squeeze.

“You figured out all of that just by looking at me?” I slip my pinky between two of his fingers and stroke back and forth against him. “Interesting.” I pull back.

A hostess walks by and Trey releases our grip together. He reaches for two glasses of champagne from the silver serving tray, offering me one. I nod and take it from him, carefully putting my lips to it. I take a sip, patting gently after with the cocktail napkin he hands me.

“I did figure out all of that.” He swirls his glass, tilting it to the side. He walks up close to me and I step back, pressing against the spindles in the spiral staircase.

I’m trapped. I’m not sure how he just did that trick with the champagne glass, but when he twirls it in his hand, it’s very seductive. “Keep going.”

“You’re very sexy.” He leans into me, oh my God he smells delicious. “Your body movements are extremely seductive, yet careful. Almost guarded, have you been hurt before?”

What the hell, does the man hold a master’s degree in Behavioral Psychology or what?

“Everyone gets hurt, it’s not important right now.” I don’t want to be on the topic of being hurt.

“I don’t believe you, I think it is important. Did you know your eyes just changed to a different color when you said that? They darkened, you’re scared or nervous.”

“I am scared, but I’m not, if that makes sense.” I’m trying my very best to ignore the humiliating feeling that’s trying to creep in on me when I think about last Christmas.

“I won’t hurt you.” His eyes turn tender and loving, instead of mysterious and flirty.

“You don’t know me.” I swallow the remaining champagne in my glass. I’m about to break out in a sweaty panic.

“Something in your eyes makes me want to protect you. Are you sure you are okay, you seem a little uncomfortable, is it me?” He takes the back of his fingers and strokes my cheek. “I’ve been hurt, not so long ago either.”

Oh God. Goosebumps cover my arms. “No, it’s not you by any means and I’m fine.” The hostess needs to come back soon, I need another glass of champagne or something stronger.

“You’re lying to me, but I’m just not sure why.” The man will not break eye contact with me at all, he’s not letting me off the hook now. “Like I said, I wouldn’t hurt you, there’s something too familiar about you.”

“Is that good or bad?” I try my best to regain my composure and go back to flirting.

“It’s different, but I’m going with it. I want to figure this out. It’s turned into a little Christmas mystery game now. I’d like to know that maybe I do know you, yet not, both at the same time. It’s very sexy and interesting. Would you join me in a little shot?”

“Let the games begin!” I laugh, as he turns spotting the waitress.

“I’ll be right back.” He walks off, turning to look over his shoulder at me, giving me a gentle smile.

I take a deep breath. Oh fuck what am I doing?